Rubem Alves

{{Short description|Brazilian theologian, philosopher, and psychoanalyst}}

{{Infobox writer

| name = Rubem Azevedo Alves

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| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1933|9|15}}

| birth_place = Boa Esperança, Minas Gerais, Brazil

| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2014|7|19|1933|9|15}}

| death_place = Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil

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| language = English, Portuguese

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Rubem Azevedo Alves (15 September 1933 – 19 July 2014) was a Brazilian theologian, philosopher, educator, writer and psychoanalyst.{{cite web|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/07/20/brazilian-writer-rubem-alves-dies |title=Brazilian writer Rubem Alves dies |publisher=SBS News |access-date=2014-07-20}} Alves was one of the founders of Latin American liberation theology.{{cite web|url = http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/10625 | title = Liberation theology is still alive and well|last=Altmann|first=Walter|date=18 November 2009|work=Ekklesia | location = UK |access-date=23 January 2010}}{{cite book|last=McGrath|first=Alister E |title= The Blackwell encyclopedia of modern Christian thought |publisher=Wiley-Blackwell|year=1995|page=331|isbn=0-631-19896-2}}{{Cite journal | last = Linhares | first = Bruno J | title = Princeton Theological Seminary and the Birth of Liberation Theology | journal = Koinonia | volume = 19 | pages = 85–105 | publisher = Princeton Theological Seminary | location = Princeton | year = 2007 | issn = 1047-1057 }}

Life

Alves was born on 15 September 1933, in Boa Esperança, Minas Gerais, Brazil. He obtained his Bachelor of Theology (BTh) degree at the Presbyterian Seminary in Campinas, Brazil, in 1957. He went on to obtain a Master of Theology (ThM) from the Union Theological Seminary in New York City, United States, in 1964. After completing this degree, Alves returned to Brazil amidst a US-sponsored{{cite web |author=Kingstone, Steve |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3588339.stm|title=Brazil remembers 1964 coup d'etat|publisher=BBC News|access-date=2007-05-08 | date=2004-04-01}}{{cite web |title=US Role in 1964 Brazilian Military Coup Revealed |url=http://www.dominionpaper.ca/international_news/2004/04/06/us_role_in.html |publisher=Dominion |access-date=2013-06-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722112052/http://www.dominionpaper.ca/international_news/2004/04/06/us_role_in.html |archive-date=22 July 2013 |url-status=live }} military coup against the democratically elected Brazilian government. At the time, the new military regime was attempting to purge Brazil of communist sympathizers. The Presbyterian Church of Brazil provided the new government with the names of six intellectuals to serve as scapegoats and to avert persecution themselves. Immediately upon his return to Brazil, Alves went into hiding.{{cite web | last=Keefe-Perry | first=Callid | title=A Song for Rubem Alves | website=Homebrewed Christianity | date=20 July 2014 | url=https://homebrewedchristianity.com/2014/07/20/a-song-for-rubem-alves/ | access-date=13 May 2017}} More than forty accusations were made against Alves and others, including claims that they taught that Jesus was sexually involved with a prostitute, celebrated when their children denounced Americans, and were funded by the Soviet Union. Alves reports that these accusations were ineffective, saying, "the positive side of the document was that it was so virulent, that not even the most obtuse could believe that we were guilty of so many crimes." Alves continued to elude government authorities. Within two months of his arrival in Brazil, he returned to the United States covertly with assistance from Brazilian Freemasons and the Presbyterian Church in the United States, which secured an invitation from Princeton Theological Seminary for him to commence doctoral studies there.

Alves did not enjoy his studies at Princeton. He sorely missed his homeland, and felt constrained by the requirements of the doctoral program. Although he ultimately wrote his dissertation according to the requirements of his professors, Alves was not pleased with it, saying, "I wrote uglily, without smiles or poetry, for there was no other alternative: a Brazilian student, underdeveloped, in a foreign institution, must indeed submit himself, if he wants to pass." He completed his doctoral dissertation, Toward a Theology of Liberation, in 1968, and received "the lowest possible grade" needed to receive his doctorate (PhD) at Princeton in 1968.

Alves later critiqued the direction some writers took Latin American liberation theology, saying "it has little to say about the personal dimension of life. If a father or mother comes with their dead child, it's no consolation to say, 'In the future just society there will be no more deaths of this kind.' This brings no comfort!" He also described liberation theology as "absolutely essential", describing his own version of liberation theology with these words: "The origin of my liberation theology is an erotic exuberance for life. We need to struggle to restore its erotic exuberance, to share this with the whole world."

Academic career

Trained as a psychoanalyst through the Brazilian Association of Psychoanalysis of São Paulo.
Assistant Professor of Social Philosophy, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Rio Claro (1969).
Assistant Professor of Philosophy, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) (1974). He was promoted to professor (1979) and associate professor (1980), both at the Faculty of Education, UNICAMP.

Career as writer

Besides his activities as a university professor and researcher, Alves was a prolific writer of books and articles in journals and newspapers on education, psychology and life in general. From 1986 he was a regular columnist in Correio Popular, the main newspaper in his hometown, Campinas, in São Paulo state. He published more than 40 books, several of which have been translated into German, French, English, Italian, Spanish and Romanian.

During his career he collaborated with notable personalities, including Peter Maurin, Dorothy Day, and Paulo Freire.{{cite web | title=Rubem Alves – Liberation Theology Pioneer | publisher=Critical Therapy Center |location=New York, NY |date=19 July 2014 | url=http://criticaltherapy.org/rubem-alves-liberation-theology-pioneer/ | access-date=13 May 2017}} {{Unreliable source?|reason=Alves was fifteen years old and living in Brazil when Peter Maurin died, making their interaction implausible, and there is no other reliable source which details his interaction with Dorothy Day.|date=September 2024}}

His book, The Poet, The Warrior, The Prophet, is an important text in the field of theopoetics.{{Cite thesis |degree=PhD |chapter=The Theopoetics of Rubem Alves for Pastoral Theology |title=Nevertheless I Am Continually With You: A Cosmopolitan and Theopoetic Reframing of Pastoral Theology |last=Linhares Junior |first=Bruno Mattos |year=2008 |publisher=Princeton Theological Seminary |pages=100–166}}

During the last years of his life, Alves wrote several children's books. Alves died on 19 July 2014, in Campinas, Brazil.

Legacy

Alves has been described as an "unsung hero", and is often omitted from brief descriptions of liberation theology.{{citation needed|date=May 2017}}

Books

=International=

{{cite thesis |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=A Theological Interpretation of the Meaning of the Revolution in Brasil |type=Th.M. |publisher=Union Theological Seminary}}
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=A Theology of Human Hope |location=Washington |publisher=Corpus Books }} 246 pages. Revised version of his doctorate thesis, originally titled Towards a Theology of Liberation.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=Tomorrow's Child. Imagination, Creativity and the Rebirth of Culture |location=New York |publisher=Harper and Row }}
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=What is Religion? |location=Orbis Books |publisher=New York }}
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=I believe in the Resurrection of the Body |location=Philadelphia |publisher=Fortress Press }}
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=Teologia della Speranza umana |location=Brescia |publisher=Queriniana Editrice}} 246 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=Christianisme, Opium o Liberation? Une Theologie de L'Espoir Humain |location=Paris }}
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=Il Figlio del Domani |location=Brescia |publisher=Queriniana Editrice}} 207 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=Hijos DeI Mañana |location=Salamanca |publisher=Edições Sígueme}} 231 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |translator-first=Raúl |translator-last=Lopez |title=El Enigma de la Religion |location=Buenos Aires |publisher=Edições la Aurora}} 269 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=L'Enigma della Religione |location=Roma |publisher=Edizione Borla }} 192 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=Was ist Religion? |location=Zürich |publisher=Pendo-Verlag }}
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=Protestantism and Repression: A Brazilian case study |location=New York |publisher=Orbis Books / SCM Press}} 215 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=Ich glaube an die Auferstehung des Leibes: Meditationen |location=Düsseldorf |publisher=Patmos Verlang }} 79 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=Je Crois en la Résurrection du Corps: Méditation |location=Paris |publisher=Lês Édition du Cerf}} 85 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=La Teologia como Juego |location=Buenos Aires |publisher=Ediciones la Aurora}} 143 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=Vater Unser. Mediationen |location=Düsseldorf |publisher=Translated by Horst Goldstein}} 144 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=The Poet, the Warrior, the Prophet |location=London |publisher=SCM Press / Trinity Press International}} 148 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=Le Mangeur de Paroles |location=Paris |publisher=Les Éditions du Cerf}} 203 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=Parole da Mangiare. Comunitá di Bose |location=Magnano, Italy |publisher=Edizione Qiqajon}} 199 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=Cartea cuvintelor bune de mâncat sau bucătăria ca parabolă teologică |location=Sibiu |publisher=Editura Deisis}} 191 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=La Alegria de Enseñar |location=Barcelona |publisher=Ediciones Octaedro}} 95 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=The Best Chronicles of Rubem Alves |date=9 October 2016 |location=Hanover, CT |publisher=New London Librarium |isbn=978-0996674782}} 182 pages. (translation of As Melhores Crônicas de Rubem Alves)
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=Tender Returns |date=7 February 2017 |location=Hanover, CT |publisher=New London Librarium |isbn=978-0998273068 }} 212 pages. (translation of Retorno e Terno)
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=Concert for Body and Soul |date=5 December 2019 |location=Hanover, CT |publisher=New London Librarium |isbn=978-1947074408}} 205 pages. (translation of Concerto para Corpo e Alma)

=In Portuguese=

{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |year=2002 |title=Escola com que sempre sonhei sem imaginar que pudesse existir |location=Campinas |publisher=Editora Papirus}} 120 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=A Gestação do Futuro |location=Campinas |publisher=Editora Papirus}} 199 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=O Enigma da Religião |location=Petrópolis |publisher=Editora Vozes}} 169 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=Filosofia da Ciência: Introdução ao jogo e suas regras |location=São Paulo |publisher=Editora Brasiliense}} 190 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=O que é Religião? |location=São Paulo |publisher=Brasiliense/Abril Cultural}} 133 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=Protestantismo e Repressão |location=São Paulo |publisher=Editora Ática}} 290 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=Dogmatismo e Tolerância |location=São Paulo |publisher=Paulus}} 172 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=Creio na Ressurreição do corpo: Meditações |location=Rio de Janeiro |publisher=CEDI}} 73 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=Variações sobre a Vida e Morte: A Teologia e sua Fala |location=São Paulo |publisher=Paulus}} 213 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=Gandhi |location=São Paulo |publisher=Editora Brasiliense}} 119 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=Poesia, Profecia e Magia |location=Rio de Janeiro |publisher=CEDI}} 80 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=Conversas Com Quem Gosta de Ensinar |location=São Paulo |publisher=Cortez/Autores Associados}} 87 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=Estórias de Quem Gosta de Ensinar |location=São Paulo |publisher=Cortez/Autores Associados}} 108 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=O Suspiro dos Oprimidos |location=São Paulo |publisher=Paulus}} 119 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=Pai Nosso |location=São Paulo |publisher=Paulus}} 146 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=Tempus Fugit |location=São Paulo |publisher=Paulus}} 109 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=O Poeta, o Guerreiro e o Profeta |location=Petrópolis |publisher=Editora Vozes}} 143 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=Lições de Feitiçaria |volume=I |location=São Paulo |publisher=Ars Poética}} 100 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=O Retorno Eterno |location=Campinas |publisher=Papirus}} 169 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=Teologia do Cotidiano |location=São Paulo |publisher=Olho D'Água}} 95 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=A Alegria de Ensinar |location=São Paulo |publisher=Ars Poética/Petah}} 103 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=O Quarto do Mistério |location=Campinas |publisher=Speculum/Papirus}} 224 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=Sobre o Tempo e a Eterna Idade |location=Campinas |publisher=Speculum/Papirus}} 164 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=A Festa de Maria |location=Campinas |publisher=Papirus/Speculum}} 111 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=As Contas de Vidro e o Fio de Nylon |location=São Paulo |publisher=Ars Poética}} 109 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=Cenas da Vida |location=Campinas |publisher=Papirus/Speculum}} 128 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=Navegando |location=São Paulo |publisher=Ars Poética}} 103 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=Concerto para Corpo e Alma |location=Campinas |publisher=Papirus}} 160 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=E Aí? Cartas aos Adolescentes e a Seus Pais |location=Campinas |publisher=Papirus}}
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=Entre a Ciência e a Sapiência: o Dilema da Educação |location=São Paulo |publisher=Loyola}} 148 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=O Amor que Acende a Lua |location=Campinas |publisher=Papirus/Speculum}} 214 pages.
{{cite book |last=Alvez |first=Rubem |author-mask=1 |title=Por uma Educação Romântica: Brevíssimos Exercícios de Imortalidade |location=Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal |publisher=Centro de Formação Camilo Castelo Branco}} 261 pages.

References

External links

{{citation | url = http://www.rubemalves.com.br/ | publisher = Rubem Alves | title = Official home page | language = pt}}.
{{citation | url = http://www.rubemalves.com.br/listadelivroseartigos.htm | title = Complete list of books and articles | language = pt | publisher = Rubem Alves | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20051129014622/http://www.rubemalves.com.br/listadelivroseartigos.htm | archive-date = 29 November 2005 }}.
{{citation | url = http://www.releituras.com/rubemalves_bio.asp | publisher = Releituras | title = Biography and bibliography | language = pt | access-date = 28 November 2005 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150609002942/http://www.releituras.com/rubemalves_bio.asp | archive-date = 9 June 2015 | url-status = dead }}.
{{citation | url = http://vinculando.org/documentos/cuentos/ | title = Rubem Alves' recent tales | journal = Revista Vinculando | year = 2016 | language = es}}
{{citation | url = http://theopoetics.net/BIBLIOGRAPHY.html | publisher = Theopoetics | title = Bibliography }}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}.

Category:1933 births

Category:2014 deaths

Category:Brazilian philosophers

Category:Brazilian Christian theologians

Category:Calvinist and Reformed philosophers

Category:Brazilian Presbyterians

Category:People from Campinas

Category:Academic staff of the State University of Campinas

Category:People from Minas Gerais

Category:Union Theological Seminary alumni

Category:Princeton Theological Seminary alumni

Category:Brazilian male novelists